Alan Jones in Kovco strife

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Broadcaster Alan Jones may be prosecuted for contempt of court
after on-air comments about the upcoming inquest into the death of
Private Jake Kovco.

State Coroner Mary Jerram this morning said she would refer him, as
well as The Daily Telegraph, to the NSW Supreme Court for
possible action after reports last Friday.

Ms Jerram said the reports made "deeply serious allegations" that
the counsel assisting, John Agius, SC, had improperly attempted to
dissuade Kovco's mother from requesting a jury inquest.

Jones had gone further by intimating there had been a cover-up, she
said.

"One comment could be read as pre-empting the outcome of, and
therefore prejudicing, the inquest," the coroner said.

She said it was "unthinkable" that Mr Agius had acted improperly,
when he was explaining the advantages and disadvantages of a jury
inquest to Mrs Kovco.

"I do not condone such an unmitigated interference in the process
of the law and of this jurisdiction," Ms Jerram said, adding that
it was up to the Supreme Court and the Attorney-General as to
whether they would take proceedings against the media outlets.

She said she was not interested in revenge but wanted to ensure a
fair, unprejudiced hearing in the matter.

Counsel for the Commonwealth James Renwick denied suggestions of a
cover-up or collusion with Mr Agius.

The inquest is scheduled to start in February.

An earlier military inquest found Kovco died while "skylarking" in
his barracks in Iraq in April 2006.